So, when I spied these adorable felt trees over on Pinterest, I immediately knew that I had to make them. After a little bit of planning, my husband and I came up with the best way to create these beautiful small trees.

Check out My Fleece Cone Christmas Tree Tutorial

So, I guess these adorable trees sold in the Land of Nod stores a couple of years ago. Don’t they look like something Land of Nod would carry? They are such whimsical trees. I’m kind of glad they aren’t in the stores this season since I would be tempted to buy one, and I’m sure they wouldn’t be cheap. Well, I’m happy to say that my version only cost a couple of dollars which is a good thing.

How Do You Make a Paper Cone?

Well, it is quite easy. I know there is one version where you cut out a circle and then take a triangle out of it, but my brain instantly shut off when I read these instructions. So, I made a more straightforward way to make a cone. Start in the upper corner of the paper and then with the other end just bring it over and overlap. The bottom comes out uneven but with a few snips of the scissors and you have a cone. I figured out that each cone cost about a dollar for the sheet of paper. I’m always about saving money.

Why Does This Project Use Fleece Instead of Felt?

Ok, when I visited the fabric store, there were very few color choices in the felt section. And I found that there were more colors to choose from in the fleece section. And so it was a no-brainer to go with fleece. Also, the price was perfect since it was on sale for 50% off the regular price. Since this project only uses about a quarter of a yard this project came to just a couple of dollars. Also, I feel the fleece looks and feels a lot like felt.

Can You Make Different Size Fleece Trees?

You totally could make any size you like. Just adjust the triangle size that you use for the trees. I’m hoping to make a huge one for our living room. I guess another thing to consider if you make it larger is that your base needs to be wide enough to support the tree. You want to make sure it doesn’t tip over.

How Much Does This Project Cost?

So, I bought most of the items in bulk so it is a tiny bit difficult to estimate. But, I would say that it cost under $10. If you buy the fleece on sale then the project is pretty cheap.

How Long Does It Take to Make One Tree?

I would venture to say it takes about two hours or less. I cut my felt pieces first and then the next day, I put the tree together. I have a faster method if you scroll down.

Don’t Make the Stand

Yes, skip the stand and let your fleece Christmas tree cone just sit right on the table. If you don’t have a drill or saw, this might be a better solution for you. I feel that the stand and wooden dowel make it charming, but it does make the project a bit more complicated.

Use a Premade Cone

So, if you don’t want to make a cone, you can skip this and buy a premade cone, I’ll list the link in the supplies. Buying your cone will save you a tiny bit of time as well. And it is even better if you order it off Amazon.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Make Strips of Fleece

When cutting, I found it best to cut a double thick strip of fleece that is the width (about 2 3/4″) of the triangle. See the above photo for example.

2. Cut Out All Your Fleece Tree Boughs

It turns out that you’ll need approximately 100 per tree.

3. How to Make a Paper Cone

I found the best way is to work from one corner and wrap the paper over to the back side. So, to secure your cone in place use tape along the edges.

4. Trim the Bottom of the Cone

You will have uneven edges, so you will need to trim them. Now, this can be a bit tricky. When you place your paper cone on a flat surface, make sure it isn’t wobbly and unbalanced. If your cone teeters, trim the high edge. Keep cutting until the bottom of the cone is even, and your tree stands straight up and doesn’t tilt to one side.

5. Make the Bottom of the Tree

Now Trace the Bottom Circle on Another Sheet of Cardstock Paper. Cut out the circle and make little notches around it like shown in the above photo. These notches you will glue to the outside bottom section of your fleece cone Christmas tree.

6. Trace the Dowel in the Middle of the Bottom Paper

Trace the outside of the dowel in the middle and then cut out with a box cutter. I found the middle of the circle by folding the circle twice in different directions, and this finds the middle where the folds intersect. You can also measure from side to side and place an x in the middle. This hole will support your dowel in the middle of the tree.

7. Cut your Dowel to Length

The length includes placing your dowel up inside your tree and measuring where you want it on your wooden base. Mine was about 22 inches long.

8. Drill a Hole in Your Wooden Base

Now, with your 7/16″ drill bit make a hole in the middle of your wooden base. Make sure to hold your drill perpendicular to the base since you don’t want the tree trunk to be crooked. Sand the hole and base if needed.

9. Attach Hot Glue to the Top of the Dowel

Once you attach the glue to the top of the dowel, place it inside in the very tip-top of the tree. Make sure to have it straight and not crooked. You will want to hold the dowel in place until the glue is set.

10. Now Thread the Dowel Through the Round Circle

This will stabilize the dowel. Center the dowel before the glue at the top of the tree sets.

11. Glue the Bottom Circle to the Tree

Make sure to glue the notches to the outside of the base of the tree.

12. Place a Small Amount of Wood Glue in the Hole on your Base

Set your bottom of your dowel into the drilled hole. Make sure to straighten the tree and hold in place while the glue sets.

13. Now Attach your Felt

Starting at the bottom of the tree, place a layer of your triangle felt pieces. I overlapped each piece about 1/4 inch. When starting the second row place your first piece so that the tip lands in the middle of the two lower pieces. This is key in making a pattern. I found I had to focus a tiny bit on the process otherwise my pattern got messed up.

14. Finish Off the Top

Use your last piece of felt and just place it on the top and wrap the end around and glue them. I tried all kinds of ways to top it and this was the best. You can make sure you show off your nicest side and finish the last piece so the ends are facing the back of your tree. Now isn’t this the cutest fleece cone Christmas tree?

I’m Teaching This Project in a Class at Civic Kitchen

Here is a little side note, if you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, then you won’t want to miss out on a class that I’m teaching. So, in December I’m going to be demonstrating how to make my fleece cone Christmas tree at the baking school called Civic Kitchen. The class will include how to make a yummy Pavlova with sugared fruit and my table decor with my fleece cone Christmas tree spread.

I would love to see some of you at the class, wouldn’t that be a hoot?!

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Thanks so much for joining me today and I hope you liked my fleece cone Christmas tree project. These will add so much character and beauty to your home, and I’m confident you will love them. If you need inspiration for Christmas decor, check out my holiday home tour from last year. Also, make sure to visit some of the others on this wonderful Seasonal Simplicity Craft Tour, hosted by Krista from the Happy Housie.

I have been looking for something to do with a cone I have. I do have to say fleece should feel really soft and felt isn’t 1/2 as soft as felt. I am going to try this, but do you have a template you could share with us?

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